California legislature passes bill regarding Anaheim Angels name

The California legislature has passed the ‘Home Run for Anaheim Act,’ a bill introduced by Assemblyman Avelino Valencia. The legislation aims to provide an incentive for the Angels baseball team to adopt the ‘Anaheim Angels’ name.

While the bill does not mandate a name change, it offers a trade-off: if the city of Anaheim secures an exemption from state laws requiring affordable housing in surrounding commercial developments, the team must revert to the Anaheim Angels name. This development comes as the city and team owner Arte Moreno face ongoing discussions regarding the future of Angel Stadium, which may require hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrades.

The team’s current lease extends through 2032, with options to stay until 2038. The bill now moves to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature.